Credit card companies compete fiercely for a place in Canadians’ wallets. Ads promising the best value for cardholders appear everywhere from social media feeds to subway billboards to airport lounges. The Globe and Mail’s Big Guide to Canadian Credit Cards cuts through the hype with an independent look at how different cards perform, empowering readers to choose the one that best fits their financial goals.

Evaluating travel cards means weighing factors reflecting the preferences and typical habits of cardholders. We identified four key factors for a weighted ranking: the value of points spent on flights (50 per cent of the total score), redemption flexibility (30 per cent), travel-related perks (10 per cent), and insurance (10 per cent). You can learn more about how we evaluated each factor in our detailed methodology.

All card and promotion information was collected as of Nov. 25, 2025. Sign-up offers and terms are constantly changing, and our calculations reflect the cards’ benefits at that time. Unlike many guides, ours wasn’t sponsored by a credit card company or bank and we don’t receive any financial compensation if you decide to apply for one of the cards on our list.

Methodology: How we ranked our Big Guide to Canadian Credit Cards

The merits of a credit card vary based on your personal goals and financial needs. Below, we’ve highlighted a number of options worth considering. But to help you find your best fit, our interactive tool lets you personalize the rankings by entering your spending across 12 categories, filtering for income requirements, annual fees, card networks and more. This means you can quickly see how cards stack up for your specific spending habits and eligibility.

Here are three cards to consider.

Reward points powerhouse

The American Express Cobalt Card consistently ranks as one of the most rewarding credit cards in Canada, and the data backs this up spectacularly. The card delivers some of the highest reward rates across a wide range of everyday spending categories: 5 points per dollar on groceries and dining, 3 points on recurring bills, and 2 points on gas and transit. Based on an average monthly spend of $2,100, cardholders could earn rewards worth nearly $4,200 over five years, even after annual fees – making it one of the most valuable travel cards available.

At $191.88 annually (approximately $16/month), it offers premium-tier rewards without a premium price tag or a minimum income requirement. Plus, the card offers exclusive perks like presale access to entertainment events, hotel credits, and comprehensive insurance coverage.

No card is perfect – the 5x points rate applies only to the first $2,500 spent on groceries and dining each month, with limits on what it considers stand-alone grocery stores.

Ideal choice for frequent travellers

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card features a rewarding structure that lets frequent travellers accumulate points faster and enjoy worry-free trips. Cardholders can earn 3 points per dollar on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre, 2 points per dollar on eligible gas, electric-vehicle charging, and groceries, and 1.25 points per dollar on all other purchases.

With an annual fee of $499 and a requirement of $150,000 in individual or $200,000 in household income, this premium card enhances your travel experience with six complimentary visits to airport lounges worldwide and exclusive access to special events, concerts, and top restaurant reservations. Additionally, it provides extensive insurance coverage, including generous out-of-province emergency travel medical expenses, up to $2,500 for trip cancellation, up to $5,000 for trip interruption, and mobile device insurance that’s less commonly found with travel cards, covering up to $1,500.

A versatile choice

The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is an often-overlooked gem in the Canadian credit card landscape that delivers exceptional value for households focused on everyday spending. It offers 5 points per dollar on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This broad earning structure makes it easy to accumulate points quickly without being limited to narrow categories.

The income requirements are notably higher than many competitors’, at $80,000 individual or $150,000 household. However, those who qualify gain access to comprehensive travel insurance including $2-million in emergency medical coverage for the first 21 days of travel, among the best in its price tier.

One of the standout features of this card is its flexibility. MBNA Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or even cash back, giving you full control over how you use your rewards.

Which travel credit card is best for you? Personalize the ranking to fit your criteria.

Personalize the ranking

Reset